Arts in the Community
We believe art is for everyone so we regularly take it to the streets. You will find our exhibitions and pop up art stations at established community events. We also produce our own events to enable people of all ages and abilities to encounter creativity and participate in artmaking where they least expect it.
Coming soon
Get the whole family clicking. Use your phone or camera to capture a little bit of magic and enter our community photography competition.
Download an Entry Form here
Conditions of Entry
- Entrants must be a resident of Te Kauwhata and Districts (Ohinewai in the South to Mercer in the North, Waikaretu in the West to Maramarua in the East) or a student of a school within that area.
- Photos must be your own work, not taken prior to December 2022 and not entered in any other competitions
- You may use any camera, phone or device to capture your image.
- Entries must be received in digital form as high res jpg files by 5pm Sun 19 November 2023.
- Photos must be named correctly using the title of image as recorded on the Entry Form eg SunnyDay
- An application form must be completed and submitted with photos. Entries can be emailed to artstekauwhata@gmail.com or dropped in to TK Community House on USB stick. If emailing large files consider using www.wetransfer.com or contact Lauren on 0212225682 to make other arrangements.
- Photographs remain the property of the photographer but upon entry the photographer consents to Toi Ako Artspace at the Te Kauwhata Community House;
- printing the image/s for exhibition at the TK A&P Show, if applicable
- selling the displayed photograph/s at the A&P Show to cover event costs
- publishing winning photographs, with credits, on the Toi Ako Te Kauwhata Facebook Page, The Chatter newspaper and in event reports.
- The images will be judged anonymously by a panel of three consisting of some expert photographers and at least one community representative.
- The top 60 entries will be displayed in the Rugby Club at the Te Kauwhata A&P Show on Saturday 9 December. We will print these images as 20cm x 25cm / 8 x 10 inch prints so please ensure your photographs are sized accordingly. We reserve the right to crop them if necessary.
Understanding our themes
Please note if you are entering work into Life. Local or Open categories the focus should be on your photography skills. Only basic edits are permitted. If you are entering the Digital Art category you are welcome to use technology to transform your image.
- Life – what does life mean to you? Capture that magic in your image.
- Local – we are looking for images that reflect Te Kauwhata & Districts… the land, the waterways, the people, the buildings, the lifestyle, old & new.
- Open – this is our open category. Submit anything that might make us marvel at its brilliance. Landscapes, portraits, macro, nature, pets, objects, colour, black and white… if you have a truly great photo we want to see it.
- Digital – this is our digital art category. Make sure you start with one or more of your own photographs but after that feel free to go wild. You are welcome to use photoshop, filters or any design apps you have access to create a truly engaging work of digital art. Remember we do need to be able to print it so no sound or animation thanks and please consider the size restrictions stated above.
We are offering workshops for schools and the public who might like to learn more about photography before entering. This is a community exhibition, though, so everyone is welcome with all skills and abilities.
For more information contact artstekauwhata@gmail.com / 0212225682
www.toiako.org
Recent events
Spooky Shots: Halloween - October 2023
Steampunk Open Day - October 2023
SKATEfest - September 2023
TKP-Kaahui Ako-Too Taatou Haerenga Matariki Celebration - July 2023
Kainga Ora Playground Plan Consultation - April 2023
Art Stations at Splash'n Dash, TK Children's Day - March 2023
Spooky Shots: Halloween - October 2022
Kainga Ora Lakeside Playground Consultation - October 2022
Matariki Soap Carving Pop Ups - July 2022
We dropped in to Te Kauwhata's combined school's Matariki celebration at TK College and then popped up in the carpark of Meremere Hall on Matariki Public Holiday with a big box of soap and carving tools. Several people commented on how relaxing it was to work with such a soft scented material. Check out some of the awesome community mahi!
SKATEFEST 2022 - April 2022
On April 30 we co-hosted SKATEFEST 2022 with New Zealous Music. This was an opportunity to exhibit the decks designed and painted by Toi Ako Youth, and to run an open air art station for kids to make tech decks while watching the extra-ordinary talents of local and guest skaters. There are lots of way to be creative, check out some of these moves!
Children's Day 2022: Family Flow - 4 to 12 March 2022
Due to Covid restrictions were unable to deliver the community's much loved Splash'n Dash event for the past two years, but OUR KIDS MATTER so we did not let Children's Day 2022 pass us by. We teamed up with Te Kauwhata Water Association and Te Kauwhata Community House to deliver Family Flow, a series of 10 creative challenges for families and/or teams of friends, fostering fun and togetherness within your home/family/team bubble. We had 200 people participate. Enjoy our video here.
Youth Mural Unveiling - 2/3/22
On Tuesday 2 March 2022 we unveiled the mural created by local artist Claire du Bosky and the rangitahi in our Youth Programme. It is now enjoyed by many in the heart of our town - corner of Waerenga Rd and Wira St. Thanks to Te Kauwhata Community Committee at Waikato District Council, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Resene and everyone involved.
Te Kauwhata Community Photography Exhibition 2021
Window of the Old Library, Main Street, Next to Peplers from 11 Dec 2021 - 31 Jan 2022
Chalk your walk Te Kauwhata - 6/11/21
Connecting the community during Covid.
Te Kauwhata Community Photography Exhibition 2020
& A&P Show Art Stations - 12/12/2020
Burst My Bubble - 2020
An invitation for the community to illustrate life in their bubble during our first Covid lockdown. ECEs, Schools and Aparangi Care Unit participated as well as individuals within the community. View the animation shared with the community. An exhibition was also installed at the library once we reached Level 2. During lock down we also ran a Sunday online Couch Choir to buoy spirits and build connection.
Best Fest - 8/8/2020
Our contribution to a Waikato wide Covid response led by Creative Waikato.
